1. GDQ is first and foremost a CHARITY EVENT. When they make decisions that help them make money, it’s for charity. When they place rules for the stream room, it’s because they’re representing a charity. People tend to forget about this, so here’s your reminder.

2. Keep an eye on the GDQ twitter to make sure you know when registration is. They fill up VERY quickly nowadays, so if you miss the days they release spots, you’re most likely going to be SOL.

3. Shower regularly. Yes, we can smell you. No, you don’t smell great. And no, “regularly” doesn’t mean once during the week.

4. Wear deodorant. Seriously, good hygiene is a thing.

5. Make sure you have enough saved up for GDQs and aren’t struggling to afford it. They can run up to $1k when you factor in flights, hotel, registration and food/activities.

6. GDQs are a great place to get to know more people in the speedrunning community, but it’s always a good idea to go to one with friends/roommates that you can rely on and spend time with.

7. To follow up on #6, don’t expect to go to a GDQ and spend time with your favorite streamers all week. They’re most likely busy and running around doing their own thing. Never be afraid to introduce yourself, but don’t force someone to be around you if you don’t know them very well in person.

8. Another follow up here. Don’t tag along with groups when you’re not invited. If a group of people go get food without you, it’s almost never personal. Food groups especially can get really big really fast, and it’s hard to get a table at a restaurant, let alone be able to actually talk to everyone you go with.

9. Please shower and stay clean. Don’t be that person.

10. If you make a ton of plans, expect very few of them to actually happen. The week tends to just become a spontaneous string of events based on who’s awake and hungry and what else is going on. Just a heads up.

11. GDQs are not a good place to learn what your drinking tolerance is. PLEASE don’t be that person that throws up in someone’s room, pees on their sink or passes out in places that are not your bed. It makes the event a lot less fun for everyone.

12. When you’re meeting someone for the first time, make sure to introduce yourself by your twitch name and then your preferred name. Otherwise we have to do that awkward thing where we search for the name on your badge and then feel bad.

13. Also when you meet someone new, might be a good idea to ask before you go in for a hug. Not everyone likes to have their personal bubbles popped, and you never know if someone is getting sick.

14. Speaking of getting sick, it’s a good idea to bring vitamin C and hand sanitizer with you to stay healthy. If you’re feeling like poop, tea is never a bad option either. And sleep, while rare at GDQs, can be very helpful. Oh and PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS. WITH SOAP.

15. Remember that time I mentioned taking showers? Yea, don’t forget to do that. Helps with the not getting sick thing.

16. Before or when arriving at a GDQ, make sure you go over any rules for your room. Is your room a party room, or just a chill one? Do people tend to sleep at weird hours? Are there any couples that might need alone time?

17. Making a grocery run is a great way to save money, especially if you have a mini fridge in your room. I typically stock up on waters, cereal, milk, tea, and then any snacks that are good to grab when nothing is open and you need food.

18. Might be a good idea to check the weather before traveling, especially to AGDQs since it can get pretty chilly (depending on where you’re coming from). Don’t want to have to freeze when you could have brought a warm jacket! Also a swimsuit if there’s a pool!

19. If you can’t make it to a GDQ, you can still participate! Many streamers host the event on their channel so there’s a chill place to chat during the week with other members of the community.

20. So, I’ve mentioned this, but OMG SHOWER. If you think I’m overreacting about this, go visit the arcade room toward the end of the week. Please, it makes the event easier for everyone. You’re not the exception to this rule.

21. Have a fun time and cheer on the runs!! It’s always so cool to see speedrunners raise so much for charity. Everyone there works so hard to make the event run smoothly. Plus you get the bonus of seeing and meeting friends!!

See you there!!